Festival forges a path for our thriving business community

Regional newspapers have a vital job to do. Since 1870 the Eastern Daily Press has been fighting for the people and the region. 

Our team holds power to account and ensures those without a voice are afforded one. And we also have a long and very proud history of backing business in the East. 

So today, alongside LOCALiQ, we launch the inaugural EDP Norfolk Business Festival – two weeks of events from April 15-26 to supercharge our industry through innovation. 

The aim is simple – get our business leaders, thinkers and disruptors together for a series of networking events, discussions and talks because the best way to help ourselves is to help each other.

It is the innovation, passion and sheer hard graft that makes this incredible region punch way above its weight and stand head and shoulders above the crowd. But we can never let our efforts drop.

So, this is a perfect opportunity – in a general election year – to reset the dial and redouble our endeavour. 

The festival will allow us all to share experiences, victories and defeats – and forge a path collectively as a business community. 

The festival aims to bring the business community together, from start-ups to the 'big beasts' of the East (Image: Getty Images)

Our bounce back from Covid has been better than most – but we are not quite back to full strength. Start-ups continue to come up with new ideas that will disrupt the market and change the way we all work and live. And those famous big beasts of the East keep on pivoting to stay just as vital and relevant as they always were.  

Each and every one of our superb businesses are a credit to the region – they were built on hard work and that never ends.

The festival is simple enough – our wonderful partners get the chance to host an event, and you all come along. Plus, the vast majority of the events will be free to attend.

On April 19 the headline event will include former chief executive officer of Lloyd’s of London Dame Inga Beale. She will speak and join myself in a panel discussion.

It promises to be a fantastic two weeks with Norfolk business, and its future, at the festival’s heart.

A huge thank you to our headline sponsor Norse Group, without which this exciting new event could not happened, and our partners Norfolk Chambers of Commerce and Norwich BID.

Now is Norfolk’s time. Now is the moment for us to seize all the opportunities we already have and put the infrastructure in place to ensure we can continue to thrive in the future.

The EDP Norfolk Business Festival is a perfect opportunity for us to come together and do just that. I cannot wait to see you all there.

To view the list of events and find out more about getting involved, click here.